NRHEG to Continue with Sports Despite Move to Distance Learning

The New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Board of Education voted to continue with extracurricular activities as normal despite a move to distance learning at the secondary level. The move to distance learning was announced over the weekend. Elementary will continue in a hybrid model for the time being. Several Minnesota school districts have taken the approach of continuing activities even after a learning model change to distance learning.

The role call vote at the NRHEG Board of Education meeting Monday was 6-0 to continue with activities as normal. During the discussion stage, one board member said she wishes that students would realize that these events are a privilege that can be taken away if people act accordingly.

Panthers Activity Director Dan Stork said at the meeting fans have been "pretty good at outdoor events following COVID protocols," adding that indoor events are a little tougher depending on the size of the venue.

Stork later said in an email, "NRHEG schools has elected to resume varsity football related activities and continue with 7-12 volleyball related activities beginning Tuesday, November 10, 2020."

Panther volleyball tweeted through @NRHEG_VB, "With this decision we are very lucky to be continuing our season. Please help us out with doing your *best* to socially distance and wear your masks when needed."

The Panther volleyball match versus Medford on Tuesday, November 10 is postponed due to the weather and is rescheduled for Monday, November 23. Owatonna's volleyball match with Mankato East on Tuesday is pushed back to Saturday, November 14. Blooming Prairie volleyball at United South Central is also postponed due to hazardous travel conditions expected.

NRHEG football, which has missed its last two games due to the need to quarantine, is scheduled to host Norwood-Young America on Thursday, November 12 at 7 pm. Playoffs for football begin Tuesday, November 17.

Other developments around Minnesota:

• The Albert Lea School District is transitioning to distance learning and will cancel athletic events beginning November 17, according to KAAL TV.
• The Marshall School District announced they will continue their volleyball and football seasons through the playoffs, even though the district is switching to a distance learning model this week.
• The Zumbrota-Mazeppa district is suspending athletic activities until November 23, according to ZM principal Dave Anderson, through his personal @cougars712 Twitter account.
• Post Bulletin reporter Pat Ruff, @pbruff, tweets that Stewartville volleyball, the defending Class AA champs and top-rated team currently, is going on a quarantine break.
• The Anoka-Hennepin School District may have been the first to buck the high school league and vote to continue sports despite restriction class to virtual, as reported by the Star Tribune in late October.
• Winona's school district announced a move to distance learning for grades 5-8, which will put athletics and activities on hold for those grades, but not effect grades 9-12.
• The Pioneer Press reported Monday that a group of parents was likely to rally at the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board meeting in support of continuing athletics. (You may need a subscription to view the story link.)